Wachusett gets literacy grant of nearly $50K

State Sens. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and Jennifer Flanagan (D-Leominster), and state Rep. Lewis Evangelidis (R-Holden), this month announced that the Wachusett Regional School District will receive $49,500 from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The grant award will fund a partnership between Wachusett and Tufts University to provide balanced literacy instruction for students in grades 6 through 8. The literacy grant supports professional development partnerships to increase the number of proficient readers in high-need districts.

“With this grant, Wachusett will continue to provide students with a solid foundation for the future,” said Brewer. “I am thrilled that ESE recognized the importance of this program. It is my hope that these children will not only increase their skills in reading, but also their love of reading.”

“This grant targets what I consider one of the most critical skills for life-long learners,” said Chandler. “Literacy is vital to a solid education, and I’m thrilled that even in these difficult economic times, we’re able to put money towards effectively developing reading skills.”

“This is great news for the Wachusett Regional School District,” added Flanagan. “Fostering good reading skills is so important for these children to succeed. This grant will allow for the students to enhance the groundwork they’ve been given.”

Evangelidis said, “With two daughters in the Wachusett school system, I know the excellent level of education students receive in our local schools. During these tough times it is important not to lose track of the big picture and this literacy grant will help provide our students with the tools necessary to succeed.”

The Legislature appropriated $4,175,489 for a competitive literacy and early literacy grant program in the fiscal 2010 budget. More than $3.3 million was awarded by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in grant awards.